Gender Equality at Contact Energy
We’re on a journey to create communities at Contact that reflect Aotearoa. It’s all part of the legacy we want to leave. Our Women's Network has been set up to allow us to take the next step in terms of embracing diversity and inclusion and help us to foster a culture where diverse talent can thrive at Contact. The Network isn't just for women – we need wingmen and supporters to lift us! The key purposes of the Women’s Network are to:
- Create a safe space to come together, and share information, advice, support and guidance with each other.
- Be the voice of the business empowered to recommend and drive the meaningful cultural change that will move the dial
- Help Contact to deeply understand the barriers holding diverse talent back and how to remove these for sustainable change.
Contact's Women's Network celebrated International Women's Day with its very first event in March, 2023. Over 200 participants from around the motu joined online and in person for an introductory gathering about how the Network operates.
Rukomoana (Ruku) Schaafhausen, a Contact Board member, a celebrated lawyer, a member of the board of Waikato-Tainui Te Kauhanganui and an inspiration for all wāhine, joined us for a kōrero. She opened her talk by instilling love and strength in all the women present. Ruku shared how she paved her own path. Putting herself through university and studying law gave her opportunities to give back to her iwi and the wider community. She finds purpose and strength in helping those less fortunate and serving beyond looking after ourselves. She gave an encouraging and motivating talk. This was a fantastic start to the Network's first event.
Ruku left our first event with an inspiring quote. "Leave your insecurities behind and stand in your mana."